I think David's method works well. I have participation points for each class, which can not be made up. For every minute late they lose 10%. at the end of the semester the points really add up. I stress as often as possible, the importance of being on time and showing up--or emailing 24 hours ahead of time if circumstances arise. I've let them know in the work place, the neagative effect could be being suspended, fired, or losing a potential client. The same goes with turning their work in on time.
Hi Harry,
Time management is a common problem we see with many of our students. They can't seem to grasp how important time will be in their future success. Running a kitchen requires meeting all types and kinds of time issues and if they are not met then running a kitchen won't be an issue because they won't have one to run.
Good point about this critical issue.
Gary
Many of our career students do not come from structured backgrounds so the idea of on time is widely relative. In a professional kitchen and dealing with customers, timeliness is vital.
Building in an on time component is a part and treated a something for the students to learn and students are graded in part on timeliness.
Hi David,
You have a good method of getting students to the tests and lab on time. They know the consequences from the outset and then have to decide if they are going to take the risk of being late or not in relation to their grade in the course. From your forum comments it sounds like your method has them making the right choice.
Gary
I have a mid term and a final in the courses I am prsently teaching, as well as 4 Labs. I always make it vwery clear on the Syllabus and on the first day that these must be attended in a punctual manner. The late arrivals during the other classes are less of an issue. But if they arrive even one minute late for the exam or lab, they are docked 30% of the grade on the make up, and must wait until the rest of the class has finished the test.
In this way, I feel that punctuality, while being stressed, is less of a problem throughout the semester, and the students raely show up late.
In our school attendence is required. So, if a student is late to many times they attendence fail. That policy is a good one for students who don't what to pay for that class again.
Annette I am also thinking about your pop quiz idea hopefully it will work out for the students and the school.
I implement the exact same policy in my class. I ask them to contact me if going to be late or absent as well as understanding the correlation between needing to do that at your job when you graduate, take it to be as real as possible.
Hi Kerry,
Every instructor has to find what works in their situation. I had very negative experiences with pop quizzes so I don't use them but you have had positive experiences and they work for you. My goal is to continually look for ways to improve and expand my professional skills. Then I can pick and chose what will work for me. This is what I think all of need to do as educators.
Gary
Annette! I like your quiz policy and am thinking of starting it myself next quarter. I think it's good for attendance issues, professionalism, and to make sure they're keeping up in class.
I used to have professionalism points, but is really inflated the grades of the better students. I have discontinued that policy and instead put a statement in my addnedum about pop-quizzes given at the instructor's discretion. I randlomy give these quizzes in order to reward the prompt students and discipline the tardy.
Hi Wendy,
Great way to make it "real". This is what many students miss in their education. They forget they are training for a career and yet they will drag into class anytime they want to and hand in assignments whenever. I tell them that won't work in my class because the rules have changed and this is for real. They have to step to the plate and treat it like a real job or they won't pass the course.
Gary
I have a section in my addendum that mentions the fact that the students should treat the class like a job. You would not expect to be able to walk in or clock in late everyday to work. I also mention the fact that they may not receive the pay raise or job advancement if they are always late.
I like this professionalism point. I had an instructor that adaopted that during one of my classes and that worked out very well because one point here and there can make a difference in your final letter grade for a class.
I agree with your policy. I feel like this is learned behavior, and if students come in late to class knowing they will miss out on a quiz, will they suddenly change their behavior in the workplace? Maybe for a little bit, but after a while I think some students would revert to the past behavior of showing up late.
Hi Andrew,
How does this work for you? Do the students follow it or do you have to consistently resolve issues with tardy students?
Gary
Our institution has a late policy that each student must read and adhere to.
I do agree with you about Professionalism Points
Claude Cevasco
In the institution that I teach we have professionalism point on a daily basis.
If you are late, you will lose them ,it's usually a certains percentage of the total daily grade. For quizz they can make it up for 50% of the total score only .
It isn't hard to find an educational benefit for Annette's policy. Our mission is career-oriented, and every class (not just the "career success" class) is a rehearsal for job performance. It isn't only the instructors who are "modeling" professional behavior. The content of these short quizzes can always be related to the previous class, too, so they reinforce the learning process.
